The Times and Democrat from Orangeburg, South Carolina • 4

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013 THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT WWW.THETANDD.COM LOCAL STATE OBITUARIES Luetreal Pittmon Johnson Funeral services for Ms. Luetreal Pittmon Johnson, 96, of 575 Stonewall Jackson Orangeburg, will I be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2013, at St. Paul Baptist Church, Orangeburg, with the Rev. Charcey Ms.

Johnson N. Priester Sr. officiating. The body will 1 be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Entombment will follow in Belleville Memorial Gardens.

Ms. Luetreal P. Johnson, daughter of the late Mr. John Pittmon and Mrs. Hattie Pittmon, was born Nov.

1, 1916, in Banks County, Ga. Ms. Johnson entered into eternal rest on Saturday, June 15 at Laurel Baye Healthcare. Ms. Johnson was educated in public schools of Center Georgia.

She Joined Neal's Grove Baptist Church and accepted Christ as her personal Savior at the age of 12. Ms. Johnson was a moral teacher and leader in her family. She worked in Commerce, and Winston Salem, N.C., to help support her family. She was also employed by the board of education in New York until her retirement.

Ms. Johnson relocated to Orangeburg and joined St. Paul Baptist Church, where she served faithfully on the gospel choir, the Missionary Society and the Senior Ministry until her health failed. She leaves to cherish her fond memories one loving son, Robert D. Pittmon of New York; one loving daughter, Rena (Silas) Boyd of Orangeburg; her devoted brother, Woodrow (Yvonne) Pittmon of Orangeburg; one sister-in-law, Mary Johnson; special nieces, Valerie Pittmon, Pamela Pittmon, Althenia Pouncey and Janice Bunch; special nephews, Albert Johnson, Edward Johnson and Theodore Peters; many more nieces, nephews and cousins; a long -time dear friend, Eula Williams; seven grandchildren; and several great -grandchildren.

Friends may call at the residence ofher brother, Woodrow Pittmon, 1152 Pruitt Drive, Orangeburg, or Simmons Funeral Home of Orangeburg. Visitation will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20. Condolences may be sent to www. simmonsfuneralhome.com.

Mary Alice Chavis Hickson Funeral services for Ms. Mary Alice Chavis Hickson, 90, of 302 Representative Circle, Orangeburg, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2013, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1330 Ridgewood Drive, Orange- burg, with Brother Abraham Evans officiating. Friends may call at the residence, 302 Representative Circle, Orangeburg, or Simmons Funeral Home of Orangeburg. Visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m.

Thursday, June 20. Condolences may be sent to www.simmonsfuneralhome. com. The Times and Democrat (USPS 630-240) Published every morning by Lee Publications, a division of Lee Enterprises, 1010 Broughton Orangeburg, S.C. Periodical class postage paid at Orangeburg, S.C.

Postmaster: Send address changes to The Times and Democrat, PO. Drawer 1766, Orangeburg, S.C. 29116-1766. Leased wire dispatches: The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all the local news printed in this newspaper as well as AP news dispatches. All rights to republication of other matters herein reserved.

No responsibility is assumed by the publisher for omissions or errors occurring, in advertisements, but correction will be made at no additional cost in the next issue foliowing, when attention is directed to them. BY CARRIER AND MAIL For mail subscribers outside Orangeburg, Calhoun, Bamberg, and Dorchester counties, please write or call for rates 803-536-1812. All carriers, dealers and distributors of The Times and Democrat are independent contractors. Advance pay: ments for subscriptions may be made directly to The Times and Democrat as agent. No responsibility for advance payments is assumed by the newspaper until the money is received at the office.

The Times and Democrat is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Frank James 'Jim' Myers Frank James "Jim" Myers, husband of Pam Myers, of Orangeburg, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Thompson Funeral Home Inc. in Orangeburg. Shakenya L.

Davis Mrs. Shakenya L. Davis, 29, of 3512 Baychester Bronx, N.Y., died Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Family and friends may call at the residence or Eutawville Community Funeral Home in Eutawville. Carrie B.

'Lizzie' Robinson Macon Carrie B. "Lizzie" Robinson Macon, 62, of Eastover, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Services have been entrusted to J.P. Holley Funeral Home. Vermelle 0.

Anderson Vermelle O. Anderson, 74, of 568 Water Spring Road, Orangeburg, died Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in the Jamison community, with the Rev. Scott Wagner officiating.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Misiura, Jeffrey Zeigler, Bryan Zeigler, Kenneth Zeigler, Forrest Shuler, Kevin Axson and Ethan Blair. Thompson Funeral Home Inc. in Orangeburg is in charge of the service. She was born Feb. 5, 1939, in Norway, the daughter of the late Eugene Robinson and the late Tishia R.

Grandy. She was a graduate of Columbia Business College, a former employee of the Adjutant General's office and also worked at the family-owned Grandy Grocery Store. She was a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Jamison. Survivors include three daughters, Melinda Axson, Karen Zeigler and Cheryl Zeigler, all of Orangeburg; grandchildren, Stephen Misiura, Tara Axson, Kevin Axson, Megan Zeigler, Katie Zeigler, Bryan Zeigler, Kenneth Zeigler, Jeffrey Zeigler and Terri Zeigler, all of Orangeburg; four great -grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends may call at her home, 568 Water Spring Road, Orangeburg, and the funeral home.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 21, at Thompson Funeral Home Inc. in Orangeburg. Memorials may be made to the H. Filmore Mabry Center for Cancer Care, 1161 Cook Road, Orangeburg, SC 29118, or the American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA, 23060.

Please sign the family's online guest book at www. thompsonfh.net. Weather B8 Conn. gun maker moving to S.C. CONWAY (AP) A Connecticut gun manufacturer is moving to South Carolina after Connecticut state lawmakers passed stricter gun In loving memory of Deacon Jerry Lee Robinson Nov.

8, 1949 June 20, 2012 Happy Year in Heaven Broken Chain" Little we knew that morning, That God was going to call your name, In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again. SADLY MISSED BY Children, grands mom Samuel Rivers Samuel Rivers, 80, of 6534 Carolina Highway, Denmark, formerly of Bamberg, died Sunday, June 16, 2013, at the Calhoun Convalescent Center in St. Matthews. Funerals services will be held at 11 a.m.

Friday, June 21, at Orange Grove United Methodist Church in Bamberg. The burial will follow in the church cemetery. He was born Oct. 23, 1931, in Bamberg, to the late Murphy and Julia Rivers. He was a graduate of Richard Carroll High School, after which he relocated to Brooklyn, N.Y.

In 1986, Samuel moved back to his hometown and returned to Orange Grove United Methodist Church, which he joined in his youth. Survivors include a son, Al Rivers of Orangeburg; a granddaughter, Tir'sa Moore of Orangeburg; great -grandchildren Al'Quandria Moore a and Amauri Moore, both of Orangeburg; a sister, Jessie Mae Smith of Brentwood, N.Y.; and two devoted nephews, Leonard Rivers of Orangeburg and Rufus (Merle) Rivers of Cordova. Carroll Mortuary of Bamberg will be in charge of the services. Friends may call at the home of Leonard Rivers, 452 Palmetto Parkway, Orangeburg. Tommy Edward Joyner Sr.

Mr. Tommy Edward Joyner 61, of 375 Carroll Blackville, died Sunday, June 16, 2013, at her residence. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, June 21, at Greater Sweet Branch Baptist Church in Govan, with the Rev. Benjamin Cave, Evangelist Sharon Hartwell and the Rev.

Henry Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Joyner will be placed in the church one hour before the service. Mr.

Tommy Edward Joyner Sr. was born April 11, 1952, to the late Arthur and Alfair Joyner. Tommy was united in marriage to Annette Jones Joyner on Dec. 17,1972. To this union, five children were born.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Albertha Sally, Emma Joyner and Dorothy Dixon; and a brother, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife of 40 years, Annette Joyner; a son, Tommy Joyner Jr; four daughters, Latonya (Eric) Jones Aretha Joyner, Shawnta (Allen) Harrison and Joyce Joyner, all of Blackville; three sisters, Mary Joyner, Linda Joyner and Trudy Joyner, all of Blackville; an aunt, Annie Bell Saxon; 10 grandchildren; two great -grandchildren; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Viewing for the public will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at the funeral home.

Friends may call at the residence and the funeral home. Sacred arrangements are entrusted to Dash's Funeral Home of Blackville. Online condolences may be submitted to dashsfh.com. The daily obituary deadline is 5 p.m. control laws after the Sandy Hook School shootings.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports PTR Industries will make the formal announcement next week at a ribbon-cutting to be attended by Gov. Nikki Haley. Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus says he's excited about the development. The county council has approved a resolution setting out the terms of the company's move. PIR's chief executive officer, Josh Fiorini, says the plant will employ 140 people, many of whom will relocate from Connecticut.

The move DEADLINES IN MEMORIAMS BIRTHDAY ADS Publication Date Deadline MONDAY 10AM TUESDAY NOON WEDNESDAY NOON THURSDAY NOON FRIDAY NOON SATURDAY NOON SUNDAY NOON The Times and Democrat Audit: Lawmakers need to define school readiness By SEANNA ADCOX Associated Press COLUMBIA State lawmakers must define "school readiness" and establish pre -school testing to better determine which children most need help and boost their chances for success, according to an audit of South Carolina First Steps that was released Tuesday. The Legislative Audit Council found that 14 years after the agency was created the percentage of at -risk children in South Carolina remains high. First Steps' goal is to reach children who have risk factors such as low birth weight, poverty, abuse, or teen mothers, the report said. "Without a measurable definition of school readiness, it is difficult to direct early childhood education programming and assess children for school readiness," it reads. First Steps director Susan DeVenny said she believes the audit supports the need to continue the program's services to children from before birth through age 5.

"It means our work is important, and we have to redouble our efforts," she said. The law creating the program is up for renewal. Legislators were awaiting the audit to determine how to proceed. DeVenny said many of the audit's recommendations are incorporated in the reauthorization proposal, including re- implementing a statewide school- readiness assessment. Determining whether more children are prepared for school is difficult without it, she said.

She said she agrees with most of the 42 recommendations, and half of them are already implemented or in progress. That includes focusing services on children most at risk. DeVenny thanked auditors for finding calculation errors that resulted in 32 of the state's 46 counties being overfunded and 14 underfunded this fiscal year. Old data on county demographics were accidentally pulled for the New commander for S.C. Army Recruiting Battalion By SUSANNE M.

SCHAFER uniformed ranks. Associated Press JACKSON young people Army provides is a big headlines of government and reports of harassment, the commander of the battalion South Carolina lot of Americans connected with so we have them, as well as about what can provide," Lt. Standish said change at this installation. year, the Army Battalion based Jackson recruited 3,000 civilians active duty brought in soldiers to the unit South well as the of North counties in Standish, 44, said biggest problems face is apathy. hope we find want to serve Standish said.

that the opportunity training and a college attract many into over three years. said it has been 41 states and seCarolina from six Ad criticizes Graham for supporting MOX FORT vincing the tunities amid cutbacks, loughs ual recruiting in Wednesday. "A aren't military, ucate parents, Army Michael ter a ceremony training Last cruiting Fort than come It also 500 Reserve. The throughout lina, as ern half and six Georgia. the cruiters "We ple who country," added to gain pay for helps CAROLINA will take place The company contacted by lected South finalists.

COLUMBIA (AP) A new television ad criticizes U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham for his support of a costly program to turn weapons-grade plutonium into commercial nuclear reactor fuel. The spot from Friends of the Earth derides Graham for supporting the mixed-oxide project at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The MOX project has undergone In Loving Memory of TROY "Dollar Bill" GUEST Feb.

20, 1981 June 20, 2009 Gone for four years but not forgotten. SADLY MISSED BY Grandma, kids, and your entire family calculations, she said. The report credits First Steps, which partners with local nonprofits, for doing a better job in evaluating programs fort their effectiveness since the council's last audit, but says more must be done so that all programs are evaluated. Legislation to continue the program was put on hold pending the report. A clause inserted in legislators' 2013-14 budget proposal provided a one- -year continuance, allowing discussion to carry over to 2014.

Sen. Wes Hayes said he sees nothing in the report to warrant not continuing the program. "Obviously there are areas that need improvement," said Hayes, R- Rock Hill, chairman of the Senate's K-12 education subcommittee. Other findings in the report include poor attendance at board meetings. Part of the solution is allowing the governor and superintendent of education to appoint someone or choose a designee to represent them on the board, Hayes said.

He said that makes sense, since they have so many other obligations. Superintendent Mick Zais has asked for that ability. The report also suggests re First Steps' governance structure. It officially operates as both a state entity and private nonprofit, funded through state and federal money, as well as private donations. Its 74 employees provide assistance to county partners and support state- run programs.

"One thing that's clear is the lines of authority need to be tightened up and clarified between the state and local partnerships," said Sen. Mike Fair, R- Greenville, a board member of both the Legislative Audit Council and First Steps. "The reauthorization bill will have to make it clear that we're tightening up, and I Feds hail success of Hells Angels gang probe In spite of reports military budget cuts and government furloughs, the Army continues to need tens of thousands of soldiers annually, Standish said. "We have constant turnover so we have to refresh our ranks, and we have to grow those sergeants, captains and senior officers to lead them," said the Gig Harbor, native. Asked about the most recent headlines on sexual harassment in the military, Standish said the Army has a job to do in combatting the problem.

af- "The Army takes this very seriously. We've stumbled and we've got to get fixed," Standish said. The Pentagon estimated at in a recent report that as many as 26,000 military members may have been sexually assaulted last year, up from an estimated 19,000 assaults in 2011, based on an anonymous survey of military personnel. Standish has served 21 years in the Army, during which he was deployed with I Corps in Iraq and held of various posts as a chemical officer in a number of Army units. Intheceremony Wednesday, the battalion also bade farewell to commander Lt.

Col. Christopher Forsythe, who leaves for the National Defense University in the District of Columbia. years of cost overruns and delays. The Government Accountability Office says the plant is $3 billion over budget, now costing an estimated $7.7 billion, and is three years behind schedule. In a statement Wednesday, Graham pressed the Obama administration to continue to fund the project, whose work is part of a nonproliferation agreement with Russia.

Friends of the Earth says it is spending more than $22,000 to run the ad in Columbia, Augusta, and Washington. Man killed when hit by trooper near Beaufort BEAUFORT (AP) Authorities say a South Carolina Highway Patrol cruiser has struck and killed a pedestrian in Beaufort County. Beaufort County deputies are investigating the wreck that happened on U.S. 21 about 5 a.m. Wednesday.

The 68-year-old man who was struck and killed was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies say the 41-year-old trooper driving the cruiser was not injured. He was duty and driving a marked car. The name of the victim has not been released because relatives have not been notified. By MEG KINNARD Associated Press COLUMBIA Federal authorities on Wednesday hailed a successful prosecution of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang in South Carolina that has yielded 16 convictions and the seizure of more than 100 weapons.

"Wedisrupt and wedismantle criminal organizations," FBI Special Agent in Charge David A. Thomas said during a news conference in Columbia. "This wasn't a group of individuals who came together because they enjoyed riding More than a dozen Hells Angels were arrested last year during raids that netted guns and drugs including cocaine and methamphetamine, labeled evidence that covered a display table at Wednesday's news conference. The gang trafficked the drugs and guns from Rock Hill to Lexington and committed other crimes like money laundering, federal authorities said. A total of 16 people have either been convicted or pleaded guilty in the case, according to federal authorities.

On Wednesday, three Hells Angels members were sentenced to between 14 and 16 years in prison. One member is serving a 20-year sentence, and one is still awaiting sentencing. Some of those sentences were below recommended federal guidelines, but federal prosecutors said they were still pleased with the results. Assistant U.S. At- torney Jay Richardson, one of the lead prosecutors on the case, also said he felt federal and not state court was the right place to try the cases.

"What we had here was an organized criminal group" Richardson said, pointing out the Hells Angels' determination not to abide by government rules. Jim May, another prosecutor on the case, also stood by a decision to use a paid informant within the organization to feed information on the Hells Angels to authorities. "They would only associate with other people who were breaking the law" he said. "He was risking his life every day in dealing with these men.".